Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit
Encyclopedia
The Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System (KMRT; ) is a rapid transit
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...

 system covering metropolitan Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung is a city located in southwestern Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait on the west. Kaohsiung, officially named Kaohsiung City, is divided into thirty-eight districts. The city is one of five special municipalities of the Republic of China...

, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...

. Construction of the KMRT started in October 2001. The Red Line and the Orange Line opened on March 9 and September 14, 2008, respectively. KMRT is operated by the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation (KRTC; ) under the BOT
Build-Operate-Transfer
Build-own-operate-transfer or build-operate-transfer is a form of project financing, wherein a private entity receives a concession from the private or public sector to finance, design, construct, and operate a facility stated in the concession contract...

 contract the company signed with the Kaohsiung City Government.

History

The Kaohsiung City Government undertook a feasibility study to construct a rapid transit system in Kaohsiung in 1987. After finding favorable results, the city government began lobbying the Central Government for approval and funding. In 1990 approval was obtained to establish the Kaohsiung City Mass Rapid Transit Bureau and planning of the rapid transit network started. The first phase of the Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System, the Red and Orange Lines, was approved in 1991, but disputes in funding shares between Kaohsiung City and Kaohsiung County Governments stalled the project. The Kaohsiung City Mass Rapid Transit Bureau was officially established in 1994, to coincide with the project's move into the final scoping and detail design stages.

Work continued until 1996, when the Central Government ordered KMRT to look into constructing the project via the Build-Operate-Transfer
Build-Operate-Transfer
Build-own-operate-transfer or build-operate-transfer is a form of project financing, wherein a private entity receives a concession from the private or public sector to finance, design, construct, and operate a facility stated in the concession contract...

 (BOT) method. In 1999 the city government put out a request for the BOT contract to construct the first phase of the KMRT system. In 2000, out of the three consortia that submitted bids, Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation (KRTC) was awarded the contract received priority negotiating rights with the city government in constructing the system. KRTC obtained a company license and was registered in December 2000. In January 2001, KRTC signed the "Construction and Operation Agreement" and the "Development Agreement" with the Kaohsiung City Government, signaling the beginning of construction of the KMRT system. The main participants of the KRTC are: China Steel Corporation, Southeast Cement Corporation, RSEA Engineering Corporation, China Development Industrial Bank, and the Industrial Bank of Taiwan. The currently system cost NT$181.3 (US$5.46 billion) to construct and includes a contract for 30 years of operation and maintenance. Construction costs were shared between the central government (79%), Kaohsiung City Government (19%), and Kaohsiung County Government (2%).

Construction began in October 2001, with 66 shield tunnels (45.3 km) completed in May 2006. The cut-and-cover and bored tunnel methods were used for construction of the lines. In November 2006, the first trial runs began on the Red Line. In January 2007, the last concrete slabs were laid for the 37 planned stations.

Scandals and major construction accidents

In August 2004, a section of subway tunnel near Sizihwan Station
Sizihwan Station
Sizihwan Station is a terminal station of the Orange Line of KMRT. It is located in Hamaxing of Gushan District, Kaohsiung. Its name is derived from Sizihwan, a nearby scenic area.-Station overview:...

 at the west end of the Orange Line collapsed during construction due to loose sand underground and water break-ins. Four low-rise buildings near the collapsed tunnel had to be evacuated and later on had to be torn down due to major structure damages.

A scandal involving alleged inhumane treatment of Thai migrant workers erupted in 2005. Investigation revealed kickbacks to politicians by the contractor. The scandal had tainted the public confidence in the construction of the system and prompted a diplomatic response by the Thai Prime Minister asking the migrant workers to return to Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...

. Chen Chu
Chen Chu
Chen Chu is a Taiwanese politician who is the current mayor of Kaohsiung. She was one of the "Kaohsiung Eight," prominent dissidents arrested after the Kaohsiung Incident in 1979...

, the Chairperson of the Council of Labor Affairs of the Executive Yuan
Executive Yuan
The Executive Yuan is the executive branch of the government of the Republic of China , commonly known as "Taiwan".-Organization and structure:...

, resigned as a result of the scandal.

In December 2005, another subway tunnel section of the Orange Line at eastern Kaohsiung City collapsed during construction. The collapse of the subway tunnel also brought about the collapse of a road tunnel above the subway tunnel. Several nearby buildings were evacuated for several days for inspection. It was estimated that the road tunnel could not be rebuilt and reopened for traffic for at least a few months. In January 2008 the section was still closed and traffic is diverted around the affected area.

Opening

Construction accidents delayed the opening of the MRT considerably from the originally planned December 2006 date. The Sanduo-Siaogang section of the Red Line was eventually opened to the public for free test rides during February 8–11, 2008, and the Red Line (except for 2 stations) opened for service on March 9, 2008. The Orange Line fully opened for service on September 14, 2008.

Ridership

Ridership has been far below expectations, with an average of 100,000 passengers per day versus an expected 360,000, and accumulated losses are expected to reach NT$6 billion by the end of 2009.
Currently, as of November 2010, the average daily ridership stands at about 123,385, with ridership figures significantly greater on weekends than on weekdays. During New Year's Eve on December 31, 2010, the system transported over 292,000 passengers. KRTC stated that ridership would need to exceed 380,000 passengers per day in order to break even.

Routes

The Kaohsiung MRT system is made up of 2 lines with 36 stations covering a distance of
42.7 km (26.5 mi). 27 of these stations are underground, with 8 elevated and 1 at-grade level. All underground stations have full height platform screen doors
Platform screen doors
Platform screen doors and platform edge doors at train or subway stations screen the platform from the train. They are a relatively new addition to many metro systems around the world, with some platform doors retrofitted rather than installed with the metro system itself. They are widely used in...

. A 2.3-km stretch to Gangshan South Station on the Red Line is expected to open by the end of 2012.
  • Kaohsiung MRT route table:
    • In operation: Main lines: 2, Extensions: 0
    • Planned: Main lines: 9, Extensions: 6
    • Total routes: Main lines: 11, Extension: 6
    • Terminated: Main line: 1, Extensions: 1

Line
Terminals
Opened
Route
Orientation
Total Length
in km
Stations
Ciaotou
Ciaotou Station
Ciaotou Station or Qiaotou Station is a railway station located at Qiaotou District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, which serves the Taiwan Railway Administration Western Line and Kaohsiung MRT Red Line.-Station Overview:...

Siaogang
Siaogang Station
The Kaohsiung MRT Siaogang Station is a terminus on the Red Line in Siaogang District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.-Station overview:The station is a two-level underground station with an island platform and four exits. It is 215 meters long and is located at the intersection of Yanhai Rd. and Hanmin Rd...

2008 North-South 28.3 24 (15 und, 8 elev, 1 grd)
Sizihwan
Sizihwan Station
Sizihwan Station is a terminal station of the Orange Line of KMRT. It is located in Hamaxing of Gushan District, Kaohsiung. Its name is derived from Sizihwan, a nearby scenic area.-Station overview:...

Daliao
Daliao Station
The Kaohsiung MRT Daliao Station is a terminus on the Orange Line in Daliao District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.-Station Overview:The station is an at-grade, two-level station with an island platform and two exits. It is 148 meters long and is designed to handle 8,299 people/hour...

 / Fongshan Junior High School
Fongshan Junior High School Station
The Kaohsiung MRT Fongshan Junior High School Station is station on the Orange Line in Fongshan District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.-Station overview:...

2008 East-West 14.4 14 (13 und, 1 grd)

Red Line

From the intersection of Yanhai and Hanmin Roads in the Siaogang District in the South, the Red Line travels northwards, following Jhongshan Road as it passes by Kaohsiung International Airport
Kaohsiung International Airport
Kaohsiung International Airport , also known as Kaohsiung Siaogang Airport for the Siaogang District where it is located, is a medium-sized commercial airport located in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan...

, Labor Park, Sanduo Shopping District, Central Park, and Dagangpu Circle to Taiwan Railway Administration
Taiwan Railway Administration
The Taiwan Railway Administration is an agency of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications of the Republic of China responsible for managing, maintaining, and running passenger and freight service on 1097 km of conventional railroad lines in Taiwan...

 (TRA) Kaohsiung Station
Kaohsiung Station
Kaohsiung Station is a railway station located in Sanmin District of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China, which serves the Taiwan Railway Administration Western Line, Pingtung Line, Kaohsiung Harbor Line and the Kaohsiung MRT Red Line...

. After crossing the track yard of TRA, the route then follows Boai Road arriving at Taiwan High Speed Rail
Taiwan High Speed Rail
Taiwan High Speed Rail is a high-speed rail line that runs approximately along the west coast of the Republic of China from the national capital of Taipei to the southern city of Kaohsiung...

 (THSR) Zuoying Station / TRA New Zuoying Station. Then the route passes through Banpingshan, extends along Zuonan Road to Nanzih Export Processing Zone, and continues into parts of the city formerly part of Kaohsiung County
Kaohsiung County
Kaohsiung County was a county in southern Taiwan that enclosed but did not include Kaohsiung City. On December 25, 2010, the county merged with Kaohsiung City to form a single special municipality.- Administration :-External links:*...

. The route finally passes along the Gaonan Highway to Qiaotou District and the southern border area of Gangshan District. The total length of Red Line is approximately 28.3 kilometers, with 24 stations on the route, of which 15 are underground, 8 elevated and 1 at ground level. Two depots will be built near Caoya Station and beside Gangshan South Station to serve the line. The Red Line (excluding Gangshan South Station
Gangshan South Station
The Kaohsiung MRT Gangshan South Station is a planned station on the Red Line in Gangshan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.-Nearby Stations:-References:...

) commenced passenger service on 9 March 2008. Gangshan South Station is expected to open for passenger service in 2013.

Orange Line

From the west, the Orange Line starts at Sizihwan (Linhai 2nd Road), crosses the track yard of TRA Kaohsiung Port Station and follows Dayong Road, passing through Love River. The route then follows Jhongjheng Road as it passes by Kaohsiung City Council, Dagangpu Circle, Cultural Center, Martial Arts Stadium, and the Weiwuying Park planning site before entering parts of the city formerly part of Kaohsiung County. The route continues along Zihyou Road , Guangyuan Road and Jhongshan East Road in Fengshan District to Daliao District. The total length of the line is approximately 14.4 kilometers, with 14 stations on the route. All stations are underground except Daliao Station
Daliao Station
The Kaohsiung MRT Daliao Station is a terminus on the Orange Line in Daliao District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.-Station Overview:The station is an at-grade, two-level station with an island platform and two exits. It is 148 meters long and is designed to handle 8,299 people/hour...

, which is at ground level. A single depot has been built beside Daliao Station to serve the line. The Orange Line commenced passenger service on 14 September 2008.

Future lines

The Kaohsiung MRT is expected to be extended further into parts of the city formerly of Kaohsiung County, as well as Pingtung County
Pingtung County
Pingtung County is a county in Southern Taiwan. Pingtung County is officially administered as a county of the Republic of China . The oldest national park in Taiwan, Kenting National Park, was established in Pingtung County in 1984...

. A light rail line and a small tram line is also expected to be constructed in the Kaohsiung City Center. A demonstration light rail line with 2 stations was constructed at Central Park but has since been dismantled.
Lines TerminalsLength
in km
Total
Length
StatusTypeDepot
Gangshan/Lujhu ext. Lujhu-Gangshan South 10.46 61.86 under evaluation rapid
transit
North
Main line Gangshan-Ciaotou
Ciaotou Station
Ciaotou Station or Qiaotou Station is a railway station located at Qiaotou District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, which serves the Taiwan Railway Administration Western Line and Kaohsiung MRT Red Line.-Station Overview:...

28.3 under const. North
South
Ciaotou
Ciaotou Station
Ciaotou Station or Qiaotou Station is a railway station located at Qiaotou District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, which serves the Taiwan Railway Administration Western Line and Kaohsiung MRT Red Line.-Station Overview:...

Siaogang
Siaogang Station
The Kaohsiung MRT Siaogang Station is a terminus on the Red Line in Siaogang District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.-Station overview:The station is a two-level underground station with an island platform and four exits. It is 215 meters long and is located at the intersection of Yanhai Rd. and Hanmin Rd...

operational
Linyua ext. Siaogang
Siaogang Station
The Kaohsiung MRT Siaogang Station is a terminus on the Red Line in Siaogang District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.-Station overview:The station is a two-level underground station with an island platform and four exits. It is 215 meters long and is located at the intersection of Yanhai Rd. and Hanmin Rd...

—Linyuan Ind'l Park
12.2 planned LRT Linyua
Donggang ext. Wufang—Dapengwan 10.9 proposed BRT
Main line Sizihwan
Sizihwan Station
Sizihwan Station is a terminal station of the Orange Line of KMRT. It is located in Hamaxing of Gushan District, Kaohsiung. Its name is derived from Sizihwan, a nearby scenic area.-Station overview:...

Daliao
Daliao Station
The Kaohsiung MRT Daliao Station is a terminus on the Orange Line in Daliao District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.-Station Overview:The station is an at-grade, two-level station with an island platform and two exits. It is 148 meters long and is designed to handle 8,299 people/hour...

14.4 43.07 operational rapid
transit
Daliao
Daliao ext. Daliao
Daliao Station
The Kaohsiung MRT Daliao Station is a terminus on the Orange Line in Daliao District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.-Station Overview:The station is an at-grade, two-level station with an island platform and two exits. It is 148 meters long and is designed to handle 8,299 people/hour...

—Linyuan
14.67 proposed BRT
Pingtung ext. Fongshan Jr. HS
Fongshan Junior High School Station
The Kaohsiung MRT Fongshan Junior High School Station is station on the Orange Line in Fongshan District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.-Station overview:...

—Taisugar PT FTY
14.0 under approval rapid
transit
Pingtung 
Phase I (Main line) Yisin Rd.—Dashun Jiouru 16.3 19.6 under investment
(3rd invt. by Sept.)
LRT Cianjhen
Phase II (Main line) Dashun Jiouru—Ersheng Rd. 3.3
East ext. Artistic Park—Jhonghua 5th Rd. 8.1 8.1 proposed Agriculture 16 Yard
Phase I (Main line) Yuanjhong Harbor—Shu-Te Univ. 12.78 23.17 revised Yanchao OEM
Phase II (Main line) Shenshuei—Buddha Mem. Hall 10.39 proposed
Main line Zuoying—Yuanjhong Harbor 6.4 6.4 proposed BRT
Main line FE21' Mega—Sizihwan
Sizihwan Station
Sizihwan Station is a terminal station of the Orange Line of KMRT. It is located in Hamaxing of Gushan District, Kaohsiung. Its name is derived from Sizihwan, a nearby scenic area.-Station overview:...

5.00 5.00 assessment LRT
Main line Singuang Frry. Wharf—Niaosong 10.72 10.72 planned Niaosong
Main line Dream Mall—Niaosong 14.3 14.3 planned
Main line Ruixiang Jr. HS—Niaosong 10.38 10.38 planned
Main line Wujia Ruilung—Houjing 16.15 16.15 proposed BRT  
Main line Siliao—Cable-Stayed Bridge 16.06 16.06 proposed

Rolling stock

The rolling stock is manufactured by Siemens
Siemens
Siemens may refer toSiemens, a German family name carried by generations of telecommunications industrialists, including:* Werner von Siemens , inventor, founder of Siemens AG...

. Trains run in 3 car sets (though platforms are designed to be able to accommodate up to 6 car sets) and are powered by third rail. Seats are arranged parallel to the windows, unlike their Taipei Metro counterparts. LED displays are installed above every alternate door, showing the name of the current station and next station in Chinese and English. Automated announcements are made in Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hakka, and English, with the exception of Kaohsiung Arena Station
Kaohsiung Arena Station
The Kaohsiung MRT Kaohsiung Arena Station is a station on the Red Line in Zuoying District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The station is named after the nearby Kaohsiung Arena.-Station Overview:...

 since the Taiwanese translation for the name is not available.

Fares and ticketing

The fare on the KMRT system is distance-based with a starting fare of NT$20, which is good for trips within 10 km. The maximum fare on Red Line is NT$60, from Siaogang Station to Ciaotou Station.

One way fare is ticketed with the RFID IC token. A RFID stored value card, the I Pass (一卡通, literally one card pass) is also offered. Discounts are offered to students and senior citizens. Outside of the KMRT system, the I Pass can also be used to pay for rides on Kaohsiung City buses.

The TaiwanMoney Card
TaiwanMoney Card
TaiwanMoney Card is a contactless Smart card in use in seven cities centred around the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung.It is a combined credit card, electronic purse and public transport payment card being the first such card when it was rolled out by its providers in June 2006.-History:The...

 may also be used for payment of fares, but is not integrated with the automatic fare gate, requiring users to pass through station agent operated gates. Similar smart cards for use in the Taichung and Taipei areas cannot be used interchangeably.

Art

Kaohsiung Arena Station
Kaohsiung Arena Station
The Kaohsiung MRT Kaohsiung Arena Station is a station on the Red Line in Zuoying District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The station is named after the nearby Kaohsiung Arena.-Station Overview:...

, Formosa Boulevard Station
Formosa Boulevard Station
The Kaohsiung MRT Formosa Boulevard Station is a metro station located in Sinsing District, Kaohsiung. It is a transfer station between the Red Line and the Orange Line.-Overview:...

, and Kaohsiung International Airport Station feature artworks integrated into the design of the station by international artists.

Facilities and services

Platform screen doors
Platform screen doors
Platform screen doors and platform edge doors at train or subway stations screen the platform from the train. They are a relatively new addition to many metro systems around the world, with some platform doors retrofitted rather than installed with the metro system itself. They are widely used in...

 were supplied by ST Electronics have been installed at all underground stations. LCD television units have also been installed on platform doors for the broadcast of train information and advertisements. All stations are wheelchair accessible.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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